July 19, 2011 - Brampton - Courthouse
Mark Nash Reports:
Tuesday July 19th - PM Report
Quite a day indeed! The Brampton Court fledge watch has begun!! We still stayed on track despite baby Courtney plans and were able to meet with fledge watch crew to go over the rules of engagement and protocols that we operate under while involved in fledge watch activities, and courthouse protocols while conducting these activities in/on and around the property.
After the meeting with lasted aprox. two hours, we all attended the courthouse and met with security and did one further physical examination of baby Courtney to ensure that thee were no further health issues before putting her back to the nest ledge and her parents. The extreme heat and humidify had both the resident adult parents inactive through most of the day, holding up out of sight in the shade to avoid the blazing hot sun. They too, do not do well in this type of extreme heat and humidity and do their best to hide out from the direct sun. Peregrine’s darker feather colouring absorb the suns heat and they can easily over heat especially with the extreme humidify.
Baby Courtney on the other hand, spent a very relaxing day in air conditioning in a stress free environment and was very relaxed. Her final examination went well, and she was again provided with water which she eagerly accepted. She was full of renewed energy, very alert and released back to the upper ledges and her awaiting parents as planned without incident.
Again, a huge thank you to court security, the Peel police and the management group for all of their understanding and support!! These folks are GREAT!!!
While we don’t expect baby Courtney to actually fledge over the next day or two given her young age, but we will be on site all day, every day on the fledge watch until baby Courtney has clearly demonstrated that she can hold her altitude and no longer needs rescuing, and can stay out of trouble from the ground.
For theos that are new to the fledge watch procedures and what is happening, young fledgling peregrines most often end up on the ground during their first flights. They are uncoordinated, too heavy with baby fat, and have not yet developed the mussel mass and flight skills to hold their altitude, let alone get off the ground back into the air and th nest ledge to safety.
When the young fledgling peregrines come to ground, they are unable to get back into the air, and like a young human infant learning to walk for their first time, they are also too naive to understand the dangers that exist on the ground. In the fledgling peregrines case, they are easily predated by other avian and land based predators. Here in the city, there are additional dangers from automobiles, domestic cats and dogs, raccoons, skunks and of course the odd bad guys that are only too quick to scoop up the young peregrine for financial gains.
Some of the young fledglings are stay grounded until they loose some of the heavy baby fat, and further exercise their wings to develop the necessary wing mussels strength and coordination to be able to get aloft again. In the wild - (non-urban nest sites), many of these young grounded fledgling peregrines are in fact predated. Peregrines have a high mortality - upwards of 80% in the first year, with the higher percentage of their mortality at fledge time.
Air movement plays an important role with peregrines, especially the young fledglings. Being heavy bodied birds with smaller wings, peregrines utilize the air movements to gain their altitude, and despite the fact that they are one (if not the fastest animal on the planet), they are actually encumbered in straight and level flight in dead air.
One of the many reasons peregrines nest high up on cliffs (and most recently, on high-rise buildings here in our urban landscapes). Peregrines are the F-16 and F-18 jet fighters that need allot of air space, and lots of attitude. They are not lumbering huge broad winged bombers (or like large / broad winged hawks or owls that can easily gain altitude in dead air). The juvenile fledgling peregrine is further disadvantaged in that it is inexperienced, never flown before, too fat and heavy, and very uncoordinated, and is now on the ground.
The adult parents refuse to feed it and for good reasons! The ground is a very dangerous place, especially for a peregrine! The parents wile attentive and still very protective will attempt to coax the fledgling back to into the air with food, sometimes harass it, and even attack it in an effort to get it off the ground and airborne. Once the fledgling is back at a safe altitude, the adult parents will resume feeding and tending to the fledgling.
We are there to assist and help get the grounded fledgling off the ground sooner than later, as the urban environment holds additional dangers.
Pictures to follow.
Stay tuned…………
Posted on July 20, 2011 2:33 pm
July 19, 2011 - Brampton - Courthouse
CPF Postmaster Reports:
Tuesday July 19th-2011 - AM fledge watch report:
The morning started out not much different than any other morning during this time of year when our phones are lit up with calls of young fledgling falcons been pushed or blown of their nest ledges, or jumping off the ledges to take their first flights, ending up on the ground. Most of which we are successful in safely retrieving them from the ground and getting them back to their parents and the nest ledges with out serious injuries.
This morning was no different, as the telephone calls started just after 8am, with a serious of calls from Brampton regarding the young hatchling from the Brampton courthouse. A huge thank you to the Brampton court security, the facilities management group and the most recent member of the CPF fledge watch team member that was in the right place at the right time!
At some point from the first light of the day, baby Courtney ended up on the ground and was spotted by court security laying down under a tree on the court property. Toivo, a new CPF fledge watch team member happened to stop in on his way to work and investigated the excitement at ground level. Baby Courtney was successfully rescued and retrieved from the ground, boxed and brought back into the facilities management office for safe keeping until I arrived to further examine her for any injuries that she might have sustained.
After a much closer and detailed physical examination later in the morning, Courtney was cleared to be released back to the nest ledge and her parents. It is also worth noting, that she still has a significant amount of baby down, and we don’t believe that she has actually “fledged” on her own. We suspect that she had actually been blown or stumbled and fallen from the nest ledge.
She is still not fully flighted at this stage but was able to break her fall and flutter to the ground. Thank goodness she is a bird, and has many of her juvenile flight feathers that are almost in allowed her to softly come to the ground,, and equally as important,, the fact that she didn’t venture out on the Huronontario road way before Toivo get there and able to round her up, preventing her from walking our on to the street,,, as this would have had disastrous deadly results given the huge amount of morning rush hour traffic!
A huge thanks to Toivo, Melanie and Terry who came to her rescue!!!
Baby Courtney will be returned to the nest ledge and her parents later this evening once it is safe to do so. For the day, she was enjoying some delightful air-conditioned accommodation and a much needed break from the oppressive heat and humidity that is especially hard on this young juveniles at this age.
Toivo reports:
Tuesday , July 19th- 2011
I went down early and watched Truss carry a small kill to the ledge, she left after a minute and consumed it herself. Then I saw building security come around and looking in the pines under the ledge.
Terry from security and I found baby Courtney on the ground towards the north end, and far too close to the road..
He had to get back to his duties. So over next hour I gently herded her south and around the building out onto a lawn and into a corner. Now what. My gloves were in the car, with a blanket.
I was making calls when some staff led by Melanie showed up with a box.
One quick move , a box over Courtney, a moment for her to calm down in the dark, then we worked the top under the bottom.
Courtney seemed Ok , walked with a very slight limp, flapped well but not nearly strongly enough for flight, and made no calls of distress or pain.
All this close to the building and very much out of site of Truss and Milton. So at least I did not have to deal with being dive bombed!
She has been left with Melanie at the courthouse, awaiting the arrival of Marion Nash from the CPF that has been earlier dispatched by facilities management.
We are all praying she is fine and can be returned to the ledge and her parents.
Quite enough adventure for both Courtney and I.
Toivo Asikainen
Stay tuned…………. more to come.
Posted on July 20, 2011 1:20 pm
July 18, 2011 - Brampton - Courthouse
Mark Nash Reports:
Monday July 18th - 2011
It’s getting close to baby Courtney’s first flights, and we will be meeting with the fledge watch volunteers on Tuesday July 19th to go over the fledge watch protocols and rules of engagement as it applies to the Brampton fledge watch. We are meeting with the facilities management and court security Tuesday afternoon prior to meeting with the fledge watch team at 7pm to ensure that all is in place and we all understand the protocols and rules of engagement that we operate under while on the Brampton fledge watch. Officially, we will be starting the fledge watch in the morning of Wednesday July 20th, as baby Courtney will be 36 days old and will very soon be starting to take her first flights.
Stay tuned………….
Posted on July 20, 2011 12:03 pm
July 20, 2011 - Windsor - Ambassador Bridge
Dennis Patrick Reports:
Here is what was sent to us in an email from one of our dedicated Watchers, Marilyn
“Last time I popped in was briefly
on Friday late in the day. Didn’t see anyone human, but Freddie was
watching the nest and there was a brief swoop through by Voltaire and
Spitfire.”
We were there on Saturday, all we saw was Voltaire.
Last evening we decided to go there just before it got too dark, Spitfire was sitting on the cable, Freddie flew in and landed for a few minutes and then flew up on the “A” of Ambassador. This morning we were there at 6:30 A.M. Freddie was sitting on the nest box with a full crop and spent about half an hour preening himself. No sign of Spitfire or Voltaire.
Thank You Marilyn for the email.
Gwen & Dennis, Site co-ordinators CPF
Posted on July 20, 2011 9:31 am
July 20, 2011 - Etobicoke - Sun Life Centre
Kathy Reports:
The heat is really weighing down on everyone, including our falcon family. I have only seen mom two times in the past week and that was very briefly, no doubt she’s perching somewhere shady these days. No sighting of Jack for over a week either.
The boys were last sighted last Wednesday when one of them was aggressively harassing mom for food, hopefully he was just acting spoiled and is not having difficulty hunting. Last year I witnessed the same behaviour from Blackberry so I’m hoping this isn’t a case of deja vu. I havent’ seen or heard either of them since then so they may have dispersed already, hopefully they will stay safe as they explore the world out there.
It’s been a strange year again especially since Jupiter’s passing and with this unbearable heat which was preceded by record cold and rainfall early on. That being said, it’s been amazing to see how they adapt to situations and do what they can to safeguard their offspring and give them a better chance at survival.
Posted on July 20, 2011 9:02 am
July 19, 2011 - Port Colborne - ADM Mill
Doug Garbutt Reports:
Just when I think there is only 1 juvie left here, 2 falcons streak by just squawking their heads off. I’m not sure if it is a juvie & an adult or 2 juvies. They are gone in a flash & I can’t capture it on camera. Not only that but the sky does not allow me to see any distinctive coloring of the birds. Today I saw Mom carrying a food package in full flight, one of the young was following her closely & snatched it out of her talons. I have attached a photo of what I believe to be Olivia landing high atop the grain elevator next door to our facility this evening.
Posted on July 19, 2011 10:08 pm
July 19, 2011 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Sue McCreadie Reports:
During our last 3 visits (July 18th Evening, July 19th Morning, July 19th Evening) there has been no sign of Lady Lamont. I hope it’s just because she had decided to go out on her own. Of the two girls, she seemed to be the most advanced. That of course means that Lady Nelson is getting all the attention. Tonight while we were there, Dad made two food drops and after that, she was still screaming and chasing him for more. Mom watched the goings on from the Hamilton Hydro Tower.
Last evening (July 18th) we witnessed a food transfer from Dad to Lady Nelson, who proceeded to drop it, but then went into a dive and made the save.
Posted on July 19, 2011 8:12 pm
July 19, 2011 - Toronto - King Street
Linda Woods Reports:
08:00 This morning, as I was checking the humidity levels, Sukura was hunting a pigeon in the Church and Esplanade area. She was chasing a pigeon near the intersection of Church and The Esplanade with Kenya following close behind her. I guess she managed to catch the pigeon as they circled back and now were flying west along The Esplanade. Sukura had the prey in talons and Kenya was close behind. All to fast to capture on video but fantastic to watch!
Posted on July 19, 2011 8:53 am
July 18, 2011 - Toronto - Don Mills
Ann Brokelman Reports:
Report by Ken and Barb Rippon
Ken and I had just parked the car in the side lot at 7:50 p.m. tonight and around the corner (I gather from the roof top) came Harlie, screaming her head off. She tried to land on a window ledge of 245 (the coppery bldg.), but there was no ledge there, so she managed somehow to turn and keep going to the corner of 240, where she seemed content.
No sign of Kendal and Quest - I guess out hunting.
Barb
Posted on July 18, 2011 9:55 pm
July 18, 2011 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Mark Nash Reports:
Sunday July 17th - 2011
A quickly update. We received news that little Kate from the downtown Sheraton hotel nest site has once again been rescued (or should I say simply picked up) at street level, this time from a downtown park bench by Toronto animal services.
While the initial reports would indicate that she does not seem to be injured at all, this is quite odd,, (and the second time that she has simply come to the ground and been able to be retrieved without a scuffle).
Kate is far too complacent about the situation, and further examination is necessary!
She has been taken to the Toronto Wildlife Centre for further evaluation and we will report on her status as soon as she is further examined more carefully.
Stay tuned…….
Posted on July 18, 2011 2:25 pm
